Xavi Simons: Who is RB Leipzig's exciting loan signing?
Xavi Simons has been in irresistible form since joining RB Leipzig on a season-long loan from Paris Saint-Germain. bundesliga.com has the lowdown on the Dutch star...
*Stats correct as of 26 December 2023
Xavi Simons
Age: 20 (born 21 April 2003)
Club: RB Leipzig
Position: Attacking midfielder
Country: Netherlands (11 caps)
Key stats
Simons signed a season-long loan deal with Leipzig days after Paris Saint-Germain activated an option to re-sign their former player after an outstanding season at PSV Eindhoven. The promising attacker chipped in with an incredible 19 goals and nine assists as PSV finished second in the 2022/23 Eredivisie, earning a UEFA Champions League spot ahead of Ajax. Simons finished the season as the Dutch top flight's joint-leading scorer, while his side - coached by former Manchester United and Hamburg striker Ruud van Nistelrooy - also won the Dutch Cup.
His explosive form last season saw him fast tracked into the Dutch senior set-up by former Bayern Munich coach Louis van Gaal, and Simons was handed his full international debut in a 2022 World Cup last 16 tie against the USA. He has been a regular starter for his national team ever since.
Simons had made six appearances for PSG in 2021/22 before being transferred to the Netherlands. He has therefore signed for the Paris club for the second time, having joined initially at the age of 16 when he was one of the most promising products of Barcelona's famed La Masia academy.
His first half-season in the Bundesliga was spectacular too: with four goals and seven assists in 16 games, he helped Die Roten Bullen end 2023 in fourth.
Watch: Xavi Simons exclusive interview
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Plays a bit like: Jamal Musiala
Simons was born within two months of Musiala in spring 2003 and the similarities certainly don't end there. Like the Bayern midfield star, he loves nothing more than gliding towards an opposition defence with the ball at his feet - and is just as happy to play a sleek pass on the edge of the box as shoot himself. He can be deployed on the left like Musiala, and also shares a clinical touch for goal that is every bit as fine as his nimble play.
Did you know?
His familiar first name is no coincidence. Simons was born in Amsterdam and named Xavi after the Barcelona legend and current coach. His father Regillio Simons is a former professional who played for NAC Breda and Willem II in the Netherlands. Simons moved to Alicante with his family at the age of three, and was training with Barca from the age of seven.
What they're saying
"He's just turned 19, but he's way beyond his age. He's going to do everything he can to make it to the top of the game." – PSV Eindhoven coach Ruud van Nistelrooy in October 2022
"Xavi Simons is a good lad. It's important that he has plays. He did a good job playing for PSV. He's a great player, and he'll be a great player (in future)." – Netherlands head coach Ronald Koeman
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